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Introduction
Everyone wants to grow, launch new integrations, and offer more digital services. But in the midst of this rush, few people stop to ask themselves: who is watching all of this?
In 2023, more than 70% of ransomware attacks found an open door precisely in exposed or poorly monitored APIs , according to Salt Security 's State of API Security . And it's not hard to understand why. Every microservice created, every piece of data that travels between applications, every client login—everything goes through APIs. If there isn't a clear way to control who accesses what, when, and how, what should be efficiency can become a dangerous vulnerability .
That's where the API Gateway . Far beyond simply routing requests, it organizes , protects , and ensures that traffic flows securely, even as the architecture grows continuously.
In this article, we want to tell you why so many companies remain vulnerable without an API Gateway , and show you how to use this layer to scale, protect, and simplify your operation without leaving room for unpleasant surprises.
Enjoy your reading!
Why do modern architectures need an API Gateway ?
The way we build systems has changed — and there's no going back. Few projects today are born as single, isolated blocks. The standard is to grow by adding modules, plugging in partner applications, and expanding integrations, all without interrupting operations.
This flexibility is what makes companies more agile, but it also creates a point of concern: the more connections, the more entry points . And where there are many uncoordinated accesses circulating, it doesn't take long for gaps to appear that put data and services at risk .
It is precisely in this scenario that the API Gateway has become a key component in keeping everything running in an organized and secure way .
To understand why this is not an exaggeration, one only needs to look more closely at how microservices and cloud computing have changed the way modern architectures are built and protected .
Microservices and cloud computing
The idea of "breaking systems into smaller pieces" gave teams the freedom to launch new features without rewriting everything from scratch. This approach, microservices, is now a reality for 77% of organizations , according to O'Reilly 's State of Microservices report.
Meanwhile, the cloud has eliminated physical boundaries. According to Flexera's 2024 State of the Cloud , 89% of companies operate with multi-cloud or hybrid . The result: greater scalability, more integrations, and more APIs open 24/7.
All of this supports growth, but without a control point, it can become a labyrinth of requests, credentials, and sensitive data in transit. This is where an API Gateway makes all the difference: it doesn't block the evolution of the architecture, but rather organizes each route to exist securely, with clear rules .
Now that we understand our current context, it's time to detail what an API Gateway and how it organizes all of this in practice to protect and scale with confidence.
What is an API Gateway and how does it work?
When a company expands its services, APIs multiply to handle integrations, new channels, and the constant flow of data. The problem is that, without a central point to manage these connections, each connection becomes an independent gateway , and managing everything separately is a recipe for losing control.
The API Gateway solves this puzzle by creating a central point of passage. Every request, from inside or outside, passes through it before reaching the internal services. It is at this stage that it is defined who is requesting what, whether they can access it, and in what format the response needs to be sent.
The main difference compared to a directly exposed API is precisely this centralization. Without an API Gateway , each service needs to handle credential verification, access limits, and blocking of abusive use on its own, multiplying effort, time, and the margin for error.
Having an API Gateway works like a building's security gate: everything flows, but nobody enters or leaves without registering . And, contrary to what many think, this doesn't stifle the flow. In fact, it creates a solid foundation for scaling with more security and predictability.
In practice, there are different types of API Gateways , each with specific focuses and features. Some common examples include:
- AWS API Gateway : a managed service from Amazon , popular in serverless and microservices in the cloud ;
- Kong : an open-source , widely used by those who need flexibility and plugins to customize security controls;
- Apigee ( Google ) : combines API management with usage monitoring and analytics capabilities;
- Nginx : a lightweight and reliable server that also acts as a gateway for routing, reverse proxy
- Azure API Management : a Microsoft designed to control, publish, and monitor APIs in hybrid environments.
More important than the tool's name is ensuring that the API Gateway is properly configured, monitored, and aligned with the security strategy . Having the right technology is useless without governance.
Now that we understand what an API Gateway , how it works, and what options exist, let's see what keeps it all running smoothly in practice—and why this directly impacts growth without creating vulnerabilities.
API Gateway in practice: how it works and what it delivers.
So far, we've seen why API Gateway exists. But what does it do, in practice, to ensure everything works smoothly? This is where theory and reality meet, after all, its functions go far beyond simply "allowing or blocking" requests .
A good API Gateway handles tasks that, without it, would end up scattered across each service, consuming team time and creating opportunities for failures that no one wants to manage later.
Let's first look at these functions, and then understand the real value they deliver to those who need security, control, and efficiency, without hindering growth.
Main functions
Exposing APIs is unavoidable in modern architectures. What's unacceptable is exposing each point without knowing who accesses it, how they access it, and what they do there. This is where an API Gateway plays a strategic role: it brings together tasks in one place that, if scattered, would create opportunities for errors, rework, and costs that only increase over time.
In practice, its main functions include:
- Intelligent request routing : it directs each call to the correct service or microservice, without overloading endpoints ;
- Centralized authentication and authorization : validates credentials of users, partners, or devices, ensuring that only those with permission can access them;
- Traffic control ( rate limiting and throttling ) : limits the volume of requests, blocks automatic abuse, and protects resources from overload;
- Load balancing : distributes data flow between servers or clusters to maintain performance even during peak access times;
- Request and response transformation : adapts formats, rewrites URLs, translates protocols when necessary, without forcing changes in legacy systems;
- Monitoring, logging, and auditing : records every interaction, generates reports, and facilitates tracking of failures or suspicious behavior.
When these functions are in the right place, the API Gateway ceases to be just a "data transmitter" and becomes a discreet, yet fundamental, command center for the architecture to remain scalable, secure, and easy to maintain.
Key benefits for the business
In practice, the functions of an API Gateway translate into much more than just organized technical operation. For the business, this means avoiding improvisation , gaining visibility into what happens at each entry point, and creating space to evolve without fear of creating vulnerabilities or losing performance.
The main benefits of having this layer well-structured include:
- Enhanced security at a single point : reduces the exposure of uncontrolled APIs, which are still targets for ransomware and fraud;
- Centralized governance : defines access, authentication, and authorization policies in a standardized way, instead of leaving each microservice to handle it on its own;
- Isolating faults : isolated problems don't bring everything down; for example, an isolated incident is contained where it originated.
- Stable performance at any scale : traffic balancing and limiting prevent bottlenecks that undermine the user experience;
- Real operational visibility : logs , reports, and tracking help prevent abuse and make data-driven decisions;
- Scalability without rework : new APIs, partners, or integrations can be plugged in without rewriting basic control rules;
- Reduction of indirect costs : less time lost on emergency repairs and less risk of costly shutdowns or leaks.
Ultimately, we can say that the API Gateway acts as growth insurance : it doesn't stifle innovation, but rather protects it so that it can move forward with fewer surprises, more predictability, and much more peace of mind.
However, applying all this in practice requires looking beyond technology. For this, it's necessary to have a partner who understands strategy, operations, and governance from end to end—a role that Skyone has assumed in projects of all sizes.
How Skyone supports API management
A well-chosen API Gateway is just the beginning. The real challenge comes later: keeping everything adjusted, monitored, and aligned with the growth strategy, without overburdening the technical team .
At Skyone , we understand that API governance isn't just about technology. It's a living, breathing routine that needs to function every day, without surprises. That's why we combine established tools like Kong with our own layer of management, technical support, and real-time monitoring.
Our focus is to take the burden off fragmented expertise. Instead of each team spending time mastering a different brand, we've created an interface that abstracts away the complexity . This way, security policies, traffic control, and visibility are centralized, ready to grow along with the operation.
More than just keeping everything secure, we help our clients connect operations and strategy . Each API ceases to be an isolated point and becomes part of a living architecture. Ready to evolve with agility, but without sacrificing security and predictability.
Want to see this happen in real life? We have frameworks , real-world cases, and a team ready to show you the best path, without complicating things for those who already have a lot to manage. Talk to one of our specialists today and let's find the best solution for you!
Conclusion
Open APIs, microservices, cloud computing… none of that will slow things down. And that's what makes API Gateway so crucial for those who don't want to create vulnerabilities through carelessness .
More than just a technical filter: as we've seen throughout this content, the API Gateway is the point where control, security, and strategy meet to keep data, integrations, and partners flowing smoothly.
Every function that API Gateway performs saves hours of rework and protects the business from failures that no one wants to pay to fix later. And each benefit reinforces the confidence to grow, integrate new partners , or launch new products , without hindering those who handle day-to-day operations.
But having the right brand or the most famous type isn't enough. What truly makes a difference is having active governance , clear processes , and an operation that doesn't depend on manual adjustments or rare specialists. That's what separates those who only react from those who grow with security and predictability.
Have you made it this far and want to understand how this connects to data management, another key element in keeping everything running smoothly? It's worth checking out another article on our blog : "Data Governance: What it is and why it's important for your company" .
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about API Gateway
Even if your company already uses APIs every day, it's normal to have questions about how an API Gateway ; when it's truly necessary; and what changes in practice when adopting this control layer.
To help, we've compiled some straightforward answers to guide those deciding how to protect integrations, microservices, and data in circulation.
What is the difference between an API Gateway and a Load Balancer ?
API Gateways and Load Balancers often compared because both handle the flow of requests within an architecture. However, they operate in a different way and at different levels.
A Load Balancer is not an API, but a piece of infrastructure that distributes traffic between identical servers or services, preventing overload at a single point. It acts as a "triage counter" that ensures everyone receives requests in a balanced way. An API Gateway, , goes beyond this distribution. It authenticates and authorizes access, filters and routes requests, applies usage limits ( rate limiting ), and centralizes logs and monitoring.
In other words, while the Load Balancer handles volume balancing, the API Gateway organizes who can access what, in a secure and standardized way.
API Gateway protect my company against ransomware ?
Although an API Gateway is not an antivirus solution or a firewall , it plays an essential role in preventing attacks.
Many ransomware programs exploit exposed, poorly monitored, or unauthenticated APIs. The Gateway prevents this by creating single control points with clear access rules, strong authentication, and logging of all traffic. In other words, it reduces the attack surface, blocks abuse, and helps identify suspicious behavior, complementing other security layers.
Should small businesses also use an API Gateway ?
Yes. The size of the operation doesn't change the risk of having APIs that are too open or poorly managed. Even smaller businesses that use microservices or integrate with partners can benefit from the Gateway to centralize security, authentication, and traffic control without having to create manual filters for each service.
Furthermore, the Gateway
avoiding rework when operations evolve or new APIs are launched.
